Decompression sickness - a review and update

Abstract

The ever present danger of decompression sickness (DCS) hangs like the sword of Damocles over the diver's head. The incidence of DCS has decreased tremendously over the years because of better understanding of its pathophysiology and the application of this knowledge to improved training of divers. This may have lulled sport divers into a false sense of security and complacency about DCS. This paper summarises the present understanding of DCS and reviews 2 recent series in the medical literature to emphasize that, contrary to popular local belief, DCS occurs in various guises and even when apparently safe diving habits have been strictly adhered to. The current status of treatment is the prompt resuscitation of the injured diver, avoidance of aggravation of the injury and the rapid safe transport to a proper facility for recompression and hyberbaric oxygen therapy as soon as possible.